The Flower Boat Girl: A novel based on a true story of the woman who became the most powerful pirate in history

I was drawn to this book because of my career experiences in Asia and my interest in history. Many of the places described were places that I had visited, and during those visits heard and saw snippets about the pirates. The story line is also a precursor to the Opium Wars that set Asia on a collision course with the West, and I wanted to try to fill in some of the blanks in my knowledge of the times.Even though the book is a fictional novel, it is heavily influenced by people and events that did exist. This story did not disappoint!! The descriptions and story line are captivating and lead to one's imagination in grand scope of how everything looked and felt. Some have mentioned in other reviews that many of these events are too detailed or violent, but I disagree profoundly as the tenor of the story is dependent upon detailed (and sometimes beautiful and sensuous) descriptions. If you are expecting a Disney fantasy, don't buy this book- it is gritty, honest and as far as I know from my knowledge of the times and the area, an accurate portrayal.I anxiously away the sequel to learn how the Pirate Queen manages her newly acquired fleet. If the book is like The Flower Boat Girl, I will have difficulty putting it down until the read is complete.To summarize, this is a fantastic story, well-written and I highly recommend it!!

I learned a lot of history and geography about this region with an added bonus of being a good well written story. It drew me in and kept me.

We read this in Book Club. And something rare occurred.Everyone LOVED the book. Seriously almost never happens. And not just liked, but loved. Different from most everything we have read over the last 20+ years. Sadly, not all libraries carry it. I am kindle all the way. I guess was I not, I might not have discovered it.We had much to discuss. Power over love. How women often need to manipulate to get things done in male dominated arenas (lots of echos in the tech world), what it means to have individual sovereignty. And personal transformation. What it takes to transcend the bounds of birth and circumstance. She was quite an amazing person.The characters were well drawn and had a lot of depth. That they were real was quite amazing. Had this been a novel I think we would have thought it stretched the bounds of believability. But they were real.The relationship with elder sister felt just the way that friendship between women would feel today. He captured it well, and a man at that!Interestingly, we all thought the rawness and the not shying away from the violence added to the story. One feels as though you are on the ship, feeling the storm, watching and hearing the wood split.Lastly, the choice of first person made it engaging. Much more than had it been like many historical novels and written third person. That perspective helped to draw each of us in.The verdict of the “drinking club for women with a reading problem” is great!!!!

It was a pretty good book, I enjoyed it. It's not a fast paced read but it's rather interesting, descriptive.

I really liked this book, based on a true heroine. It grabs you from the first chapter, moves quickly, making you root heavily for this poor flower boat girl! She is a heroine making her own way in the world of men, against all odds - and she comes out victorious, both Internally and as commander of the flag fleet!

I must admit a certain prejudice when men write female characters. Too often, they are Mary Sue's of one flavor or another. In Cheng he gave us no golden hearted whore whose beauty causes fish to down themselves. Neither did he give us a woman too impossibly clever to be real. Nor a woman that is actually a man simply clothed in female gender. Cheng is quite pretty, reasonably intelligent, and has a will of IRON. And it is that quality... force of personality, force of will, sheer bloody minded perseverance that makes her the pirate queen. This is one hundred percent a character driven story and what a character!!!! You watch her grow, change, make mistakes, learn, make mistakes again and ultimately succeed. Despite her poor sewing skills she managed to create a whole cloth, tough if not overly beautiful, from the rags and tatters life throws her in an ancient culture steeped in misogyny.And let's talk about an ancient culture. Chinese pirates???? Never heard of them. And the author brought it to LIFE. I'm inspired to learn more about this period in japanese maritime history. Absolutely FASCINATING. Warning.... this book is not for the faint at heart. Although never gratuitous or prurient in nature the author does not spare you the.....traumas.... of being a flower boat girl...or a pirate. He doesn't spare you the indignities of being a woman in a society with very little respect for women aside from their child bearing potential and skills in a bedroom or a kitchen. Your heart will bleed. Even if Chengs doesn't. Far from the plucky heroine she's more the practical, pragmatic, hearty flower with long thorns. Check it out. You're quite unlikely to regret this purchase.

One of the best books I have read this year. Beautiful language & compelling story. A must-read for anyone interested in Asian history & brave women.

An epic and fascinating read - and extremely well written. Immerses the reader in the pirate world of the South China seas in the early 1800s, offering an intriguing plot alongside a wealth of cultural and geographical detail. The writer has clearly done his research! Some of the names are hard to keep up with — and some of the raids and journeys merged with one another — but I let that wash over me eventually and just absorbed the moment. (Reading it in stages due to other commitments probably didn't help!) Excellent if you like historical fiction / epic saga. The fact that it's based on a true story makes it all the more intriguing. I could picture this as a movie.

Being a true story the hardship and her never giving up attitude.

Great book that transports the reader back in time for a wild ride with the pirates. Vivid descriptions, attaching characters and packed with action. Strongly recommend

An interesting read